Window fastener



Marh 26, 1940.

L. R. MGNAMARA WINDOW FASTENER Filed Dec. 9. 1957 may@ Patented Mar. 26, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFCE s t 2,194,562 l WINDOW FASTENER Leon R. McNamara, Rockford, Ill. Applicatimnecember 9, 1937, seriarNo. 178,849 n e claims. (C1. 2oz- 204) This invention relates to improvements in Window fasteners and the general object is to provide a fastener of new and improved construction which not only serves to lock a window closed but also provides a stop for limiting the extent to which either the upper or lower section of the window mayy be opened.

A more detailed object is to provide a window fastener including a pivoted member hinged along one vertical side edge of the upper window section to swing between one position overlying the lower window section and another position permitting opening of either window sectionV a distance determined by the position of a stop on said member. p

'Ihe invention also resides inthe novel characteristios of the fastener which make for simplicity and ruggedness of construction and contribute to the artistic appearance of the fastener when in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the left--hand side portion of a window equipped with a fastener embodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan View with the parts positioned as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail view looking from the right in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a window illustrating a` different use of the fastener.

Fig. 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a part of the fastener.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating different positions of the fastener parts.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, I have shown in the drawing and will herein describe in detail the preferred embodiment. It

is to be understood,` however, that I do not intend to limit the invention by such disclosure but aim to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. i

Referring now to the drawing, the numerals I0 and I I represent the upper and lower sections of 'fan ordinary Window construction, which sections are slidable vertically in a `casing I2 so that the window may be fully closed as shown in Fig. 1 or either section may be opened to any degree desired for Ventilating purposes. The frame of the upper section has vertical side members I3 and a horizontal bottom member I4 with an inwardly 5 facing inclined surface I5 which, when the Window is fully closed, is wedged against a complementalsurface I6 on the upper cross member I'I of the lower window section I I. i

In standard window constructions of the above 10' character,` the cross bar I i of the upper section projectsinwardly from the inner face of theside member I3 a short distance and provides a narrow ledge I8 sothat in the open position of the window, the inner face of the side member is 15 spaced from the outer face of the frame of the lower window section a distance equal to or greater than the width of said `ledge (see Fig. 5)". The presentiinvention takes advantage of this condition and contemplates a fastener compris- 0 ing an elongated member 20 hinged along the side member ofthe upper window section, so that it may be swung inwardly to overlie the lower section (see Fig. 1) for locking the window closed, may be disposed within the space above referred to to permit of limitedopening of either section as determinedby a stop ZI on the member, and may be swung around the side member as shown in dotted` outline in Fig. l to permit full opening of the window. In the presentinstance, the piv- '50 oted member comprises a reinforced ymetal bar narrower than the side member I3 and curled along one side edge to intert with the curled edge of a bar 2.2. The curled edges are secured together by a pintle 23 so as to forma hinge joint 35 2t` extending throughout the lengths of the bars along the inner side edgeof the frame member I3. The bar 22 is secured against the' inner face of the side member I3 by screws 25. 'Io further reinforce the bar` 20, the free edge` thereof is formed with a narrow flange 20 and the stop 2| is bent from a separate strip 25 of sheet metal which lies against and is spot welded to the rear side 'of the bar 20 with the stop projecting 1 through an aperture 21 in the bar. stop 2l is generally V-shaped and therefore of rugged construction even though formed of sheet metal. If desired, a` block 28 of metal may be secured'to the bar 22 in a position to project into the recess defined by the stop when the bar 20 is 50l closed against the bar 22. The block serves to further reinforce the stop 2| when the latter is utilized for limiting partial opening of the window.

Preferably, a metal abutment is provided on 551 Thus, the 5 the upper surface of the lower window section for coaction with the lower end of the hinged member 20 as with the stop 2|. Herein this abutment comprises a plate 30 pivotedfon a screw 3l anchored in the frame l1. By gripping an upturned flange 32 or handle, the plate may be swung outwardly from the normal position shown in Fig. l to the position of Fig. 7. In the normal position, a flange 3&3 at the free e-nd of the plate bears against the window casing andvdenitely locates a tapered boss 3ft' relative to the hinge axis of the member 2G. The boss is struck out of the plate 3S on an arc so as to be received in ay curved notch 36 in the lower edge of the member 2t. The boss and notch are so positioned that as the member is swung away from theupper section into locking position as shown in Fig. l, the two window sections are camined toward each other so as to hold the two tightly together.

In the locked position of the fastener, the lower end thereof bears against the plate 3i) so that there is no danger of marring the painted surface of the window frame. Owing to the rugged reinforced construction of ther member 2) and the substantial length of the hinge 24, it will be apparent that the window will be held effectively in closed position without the use of any other fastening device.

The stop 2l is spaced from the lower Yend of the pivoted member a distance such as to permit partial opening of either window section for Ventilating purposes but insufficient to permit of entry of unauthorized persons` through the window. Usually this distance :is about six inches. To condition the window for such partial opening, the member 2o is closed against the supporting hinge bar 22, the stop '2l projecting inwardly perpendicular to the plane of the window. Either window section may then be opened until the stop and the plate 3o engage as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the bars 2t* and 22 then being disposed between the side members of the two window frames. 1n this condition, the screws 25 are inaccessible and there is no way by which an unauthorized person, working from the exterior of the building, could release the fastener and gain entry.`

When it is desired to fully openthe window, the plate 3o is first swung into the position shown in Fig. 7. Then, the pivoted member 2G may be swung into the plane of the bar 22 with the stop 2l projecting toward the window pane out of blocking relation with respect to the lower window section.

t will be apparent from the foregoing that my improved fastener is of inexpensive vconstruction, the principal parts being formedas simple sheet metal parts. The fastener is located in an out of the way position at one side of the window where it usually will be concealed from View by curtains or draperies. Moreover, .the parts present a more artistic appearance than fasteners commonly used and may be painted or deco-rated to conform to the window frames and casing.

I claim as my invention:

l. A fastener for a sliding double sectioned window comprising two flat elongated bars hinged together along` one side edge, one being adapted4 for attachment tothe inner face of one vertical side member of the upper window section, the other bar having an aperture thereinad jacent oneend thereon, an elongated strip disposed. between said bars and secured to said other bar, and a projection bent from said. strip and.Y extending through. said aperture to, provide a stop for limiting the degree of partial window opening.

2. The combination with a window having upper and lower sliding sections of an elongated element pivotally supported on one vertical side member off the frame of said upper section to swing inwardly from the upper section with its lower end overlying and disposed adjacent the lower section whereby to hold the window fully closed, a stop projecting from said element and positioned to limit to a predetermined degree the opening movement of the lower window section when the element is swung against the frame of said upper section, an abutment on said lower section underlying said lower end and having an upstanding boss coacting with said element during inward swinging thereof to cam the window sections toward each other.

3. The combination with a window having upper and lower sliding sections of an elongated element pivotally supported on one vertical side member of the frame of said upper' section to swinginwardly from the upper section with its lower end overlying and disposed adjacent the lower section whereby to hold the window fully closed, a sto-p projecting from said element and positioned to limit to a predetermined degree the openingmovement of the lower window section when the element is swung against the frame of said upper section, an abutment on said lower section underlying said lower end and having means coacting with said element during inward swinging thereof to cam the window sections toward each other, said abutment being pivoted on said lower section and swingable to carry said cam means out of engagement with said element.

4. The combination with a window having upper and lower sliding sections of an elongated element p-ivotally supported on one vertical side member of the frame of said upper section to swing inwardly from the upper section with its lower end overlying and disposed adjacent the lower section whereby to hold the window fully closed, a stop projecting from said element and positioned to limit to a predetermined degree the opening movement of the lower window section when the element is swung against the frame of said upper section, an abutment on said lower section underlying said lower end and having means thereon coacting with said element during inwardy swinging thereof to urge the window sections toward each other and frictionally hold the sections` together,` said abutment being mounted for movement relative to said lower section into out-of-the-way position.

5.y The combination with a window having upper and lower sliding sections of an elongated `'nent pivotally supported on one vertical side of the frame of said upper section to swing inwardly'frontil the upper section to a position with its lower end overlying `and disposed adjacent the lower, section whereby to hold the window fully closed, stop projecting from said element and positioned linfit to a predetermined degree the opening movement of the lower window section when the element is swung against we of said upper e 1, a wedge mounted cn saif. window section vement rel e thereto between active and mvtctivepositie "nd adapted, when in said :tive position, to engage the lower end of said element and hold the lati-cr wedged in said overlyingpositon whereby to hold the window fully closed.

p 6. The Y combination with a window having `Window section when the element is swung' upper and lower sliding sections of `an elongated element pivotally supported on one vertical slide member of the frame of said upper section to swing inwardly from the upper section to a position with its lowerend overlying and disposed adjacent the lower section whereby to hold the Window fully closed, a stop projecting from said element and positioned to limit to a predetermined degree theopening movement of the lowerv against the frame of said upper section, and a, friction Wedge coacting with said element to `hold the latter in said overlying position, said Wedge being mounted for movement to an inactive position to permit free swing of said ele-` ment to all of `its positions.

LEON R. MCNAMARA. 

